terms and conditions About 9 am the next day, the novices or "griffins" were assembled in the darkness and heat of the lower deck, then one at a time were blindfolded and led up on deck by "four of Neptunes constables", as "buckets of water were thundered all around". Many cases of unbelievable cruelty were reported especially in the years after the II World War and some maritime companies even banned these ceremonies on board their vessels. This is a usually light-hearted event that allows the ships crew to take some time out from their hectic schedules and have fun with the rest of the crewmates. Beside him is seated his wife, Queen Amphitrite and theyre both surrounded by a few more (including a Davy Jones impersonator) to replicate a royal proceeding. KISS THE FISH!" David Moore is a content contributor at Veterans United Network. Even so, the ritual has taken up other homes, albeit with distinctly less oppressive undertones. Once at the anchor, the newly initiated are made to crack open a can of beer on the anchor itself at the first go. But their businessis for me no problem. This having completed, an entire round of the shop is taken to commemorate the event altogether. Naval History and Heritage Command. It was also an initiation rite commemorated the first time a sailor crossed over. WebThis is a continuation of EQUATOR CROSSING CEREMONY PART 1. Top VA Purchase Lender each Fiscal Year between 2016-2022. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2010 - 2023 Marine Insight All Rights Reserved. 6 0 obj The crew was in the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. [10], U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt described his crossing-the-line ceremony aboard the "Happy Ship" USSIndianapolis with his "Jolly Companions" in a letter to his wife Eleanor Roosevelt on 26 November 1936. High ranking members of the crew and those who have been Shellbacks the longest dress up in elaborate costume and each play the part of King Neptune's court. <> This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. hb```>VB eaX;f8L/```b^22jtsVP 6z k$}`+9Vxyo Nk1TO4# }/$ King, Ernest J., USN. Newbies are called Pollywogs, Slimy Pollywogs or Slimy Wogs. Equator-crossing ceremonies, typically featuring King Neptune, are also sometimes carried out for passengers' entertainment on civilian ocean liners and I hope all of you new comers will receive the same kind treatment as I did when I first crossed the Equator and never forget that your abilities to face and stand up the harsh seas will be tested sooner or later for real and not during the Equator Crossing Ceremony. Crossing the Line is nearly as old as seafaring itself; even in antiquity sailors engaged in rituals when crossing certain parallels. There were pageants where wogs were forced to crossdress in front of their superiors, and then spend the rest of their day performing often degrading tasks. As the cruise ship Voyager of the Seas nears the equator, excitement mounts and all Pollywogs those who have never crossed the line are encouraged to register for the crossing the equator ceremony. From that moment on, they are no longer seen as outsiders, but they fully deserved to be included in the seafarers family. After we drank our glasses with that awful tasting liquid, we received our certificates together with everybodys congratulations and enjoyed a wonderful party thrown in our honor. The two-day event (evening and day) is a ritual in which previously inducted crew members (Trusty Shellbacks) are organized into a "Court of Neptune" and induct the Slimy Pollywogs into "the mysteries of the Deep". Mind you, no harm or hurt is involved, however the minor embarrassments must be taken in the right spirit. Each ship might have their own traditions and nuances, but the fundamental structure goes something like this: Many accounts dwell only on the final, elaborate ceremony that takes place on the day a ship traverses the equator, but the month leading up to King Neptune's arrival, when the Pollywogs are separated off from the Shellbacks, is also significant. (Photo: The Rise and Fall of Cruisingforsex.com, a Digital Atlas of Casual Encounters, AO Video Investigation: Movie Worms Ranked By Size, Morlocks, CHUDS and Graboids: A Bestiary of Fictional Subterranea. But line-crossing has expanded to other corners of seafaring culture, including the unlikely place of scientific research cruises. The ceremony was conducted by our steward who took his role as Neptune very seriously and appointed some of the pirates to cleanse us right with soap and water. [citation needed]. As this scientist put it, everyone on the ship was fine with someone not participating; No one egged her in her sleep., Neptune and his entourage during a Polish line-crossing ceremony. The Equator Crossing Ceremony is an age-old tradition to commemorate a seafarer crossing the equator for the first time. Naval Academy, The Sullivan Brothers and the Assignment of Family Members, Historic Former U.S. Navy Bases and Stations, The African American Experience in the U.S. Navy, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the U.S. Navy, Contributions of Native Americans to the U.S. Navy, The World Cruise of the Great White Fleet, Navy Underwater Archaeology Return Program, Annual Navy History and Heritage Awards - Main, Research Permits for Sunken & Terrestrial Military Craft, Scanning, Copyright & Citation Information, Obtain Duplications of Records and Photos, Crossing the Line, Plank Owner, and Other Unofficial Certificates Acquired by Naval Personnel, Precedence of the Naval Reserve in Parades, Passing Honors, National Anniversaries, and Solemnities, Rocks and Shoals: Articles for the Government of the U.S. Navy, The Evolution of Ship Naming in the U.S. Navy, http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=75241, Captain Arleigh Burke's Crossing the Line Certificate Aboard USS, Shellback Certificate for Lt. Arleigh Burke, National Naval Aviation Museum Collection, South American Cruise: Franklin D. Roosevelt, Shellback and Other Navy Ceremonial Certificates: A Select Bibliography. WebCrossing The Equator (The Script of the Ceremony in HMCS Stettler 1957 February 26, 1957 at 106 East Longitude) (Name of original author not recorded 1957) Note to Reader: This is a typical script for a Crossing the Line ceremony. (Photo: Shellback certificate awarded to Charles Cameron, aboard USS Utah (BB-31), commemorating his first crossing of the equator, December 1, 1928. Today, the event is voluntary and is conducted more for entertainment purposes and morale boosting than anything else. This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. Equator-crossing ritual on cruise ships Mal Chenu Puckering up to kiss the fish. As appalling as it may seem to shore folk, it is a tradition that makes a man out a fresh cadet or trainee seaman. He writes personal stories of our nation's veterans and active military members. Pollywogs are then doused with water to symbolise a baptism and are duly admitted to the District of Equatorius as Trusty and Honourable Shellbacks and Sons of Neptune. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, DC; collection of Rear Admiral Harold M. Bemis; U.S. Disclaimer: The views mentioned above are of the author only. Initiation rite for first crossing of the equator, Honors for line crossings and other navigational events. Required fields are marked *. (Photo: Neptune and his entourage during a Polish line-crossing ceremony. Webthe equator, this ceremony has a rich and varied history. He actually told me that he had never agreed to humiliating or painful trials for the new comers because the strength of a real seafarer stays in his heart, his wisdom and his kindness and these qualities can not be tested through silly, humiliating or painful ordeals. By submitting your email you are agreeing to Nine Publishing's For instance, the ship's captain might play the part of King Neptune himself. %%EOF The seamen who have already crossed the equator are referred to as Shellbacks (or, Sons Of Neptune) and those who havent are called Pollywogs. She is a symbol of strength, love, patience, responsibility, beauty, happiness and honesty. 2023 New Year, New Home $75K Veteran Homebuyer Giveaway, the Sirens and Sea Monsters of the Odyssey, Check if you meet the official VA loan requirements, Department of Veterans Affairs Lender Statistics, Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System & Directory. The crew finally converted the Wogs after the endurance tests were accomplished, ending the ceremonywith an affirmation of the new Shellbacks by way of a certificate declaring their new status. I think that being able to participate in the rite of passage with another friendly navy is always an honor and it allows us to know each other better.". Hersh writes: Pollywogs who are disliked, or who are suspected of being gay, receive especially harsh treatment, while favored wogs or high-ranking wogs are often pulled out of the ritual early, or are permitted to go through it without too much harassment.. King Neptune and his royal court: his queen, Davy Jones, the royal baby, and other dignitaries, arrive to the ship the evening prior to the equator crossing. One former Navy man posted videos of the ritual to YouTube. This is how I mostly startmy ship visit. This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. crossing the equator, Commanding Officer Captain J. Scott Jones, for instance, publicly announced that the USS Bonhomme Richard had a great celebration of this important passage. The ceremony is a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a sailors first time crossing of the equator. Most prominently, ocean scientists are known to perform similar ceremonies. The Navy has spent decades trying to rein in on hazing; the line-crossing ceremony represents a great deal of this. [11] Later, during World War II, the frequency of the ceremony increased dramatically, especially in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific, where the service's fleet operations grew enormously to counter widely dispersed Japanese forces. Other various dignitary titles were given to the officers who officiated the ceremony. The Golden Shellback was awarded to those who also crossed the equator and the International Date Line or 180th meridian, (where the world is divided between Eastern and Western Hemispheres) at the same time. Crossing the Line is nearly as old as seafaring itself; even in antiquity sailors engaged in rituals when crossing certain parallels. Crawling through long containers filled withrotten garbage. A Queen represents confidence and unconditional dedication towards her task. The writer was a guest of Royal Caribbean Cruises. U.S. sailors and Marines participate in a line-crossing ceremony. What proceeds is a day of festivities, which builds camaraderie among the seafaring crew. Nowadays, the most common ceremonies always include at least two members of the crew willing to conduct the show, the fire hoses ready to splash, glasses of miraculous drinks, baptism certificates, a noisy and supportive crowd and a well deserved party afterwards. It was also called crossing the line. This is the beginning of a line-crossing ceremony, a centuries-old ritual to inaugurate Equator-crossing virgins. hbbd```b``"ZA$Sd&0,4 ,FHXL*H(H2 2 The Iron Shellback are those on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and the USS San Jacinto who crossed the equator after a 200+ day voyage during the 2020 pandemic. This is likely because of the bad rap the ceremony has accrued over the years. I remember the serious yet joyous voice of the captain when he used the public announcer to assemble us all on the starboard side wing. (Photo: Public domain/WikiCommons). An illustration of an 1816 line-crossing ceremony aboard the frigate Mduse. An eye-opening journey through the history, culture, and places of the culinary world. Some people may find this a silly game, but seafarers know for certain that receiving the blessing from the God of the Sea is always an honor and must be regarded as such.Equator Crossing ceremony is just a humble way of recognizing Neptune as Master of the Seas and all the seafarers who receive Neptunes permission to sail his waters have to be celebrated and congratulated by all the crew on board. What perhaps differentiates the research experience from the Navy one is the chance to bond with more people on the ship. The new disability compensation rates took effect on December 1, 2022. By the end of WW II, the United States Navy had added nearly 1,200 major combatant vessels to its combined fleet. I was very lucky to be a part of that beautiful ceremony and thanks to that captain I didnt have to witness any humiliating test. The Star Spangled Shellbacks was used for those crossing the equator on July 4th, 1966. Webthe equator, this ceremony has a rich and varied history. They are also performed in the merchant navy and aboard sail training ships. The ceremony is carefully orchestrated by the ship's officers, with some sailors reporting the events to be lackluster due to the removal of the rites of initiation. The charges brought against him: In 2010, a Line Crossing Ceremony was an international affair. Retrieved June 7, 2017. It was a way for sailors to be tested for their seaworthiness. They are also performed in the merchant navy and aboard sail training ships. The Iron Shellback are those on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and the USS San Jacinto who crossed the equator after a 200+ day voyage during the 2020 pandemic. (Photo: An illustration of an 1816 line-crossing ceremony aboard the frigate Mduse. As the cruise ship Voyager of the Seas nears the equator, excitement mounts and all Pollywogs those who have never crossed the line are encouraged to register for the crossing the equator For instance, blackface was a common element of it before World War II, but once integration hit the military that part stopped. But there are also times when myseafarers are busy, with bunkering, or they are doing other work. WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line an old seafaring tradition. This power asymmetry played a role in the ritual, showcasing innate naval biases. Prior to writing for Veterans United Network, David served in the United States Air Force and spent 7 months in Afghanistan as a Logistics Officer and Brigade Engineering Officer with the Army National Guard. Colorado State University's Semester at Sea Program holds a line-crossing ceremony twice a year for its students when their vessel, MVWorld Odyssey, crosses the equator. King Neptune Ceremony on board the Polish shipChrzest Rwnikowy. 187 0 obj <> endobj They were all there waiting for me and for two other cadets who were lucky enough to cross the line during their first voyage at sea. Credit score requirements vary by lender. Myriad approaches to conducting the ceremony will yield myriad accounts. Naval History and Heritage Command. A beauty contest was held with one man from each department dressed up in womens swimsuit drag. A VA approved lender; Not endorsed or sponsored by the Dept. If they had not, they must choose to give up their allowance of wine for four days, or undergo a ducking ceremony in which they were ducked three times into the ocean. After we drank our glasses with that awful tasting liquid, we received our certificates together with everybodys congratulations and enjoyed a wonderful party thrown in our honor. So, you are [], Ahoy Ahoy, Port Chaplain coming on board. According to old tradition, all those crossing the equator for the first time, must be baptized and thus made an able-bodied seaman. USMC Golden shellback here, aboard the USS Denver, 1981 much more fun pitching than catching on Wog Day!!! WebWelcome to Equator CrossingThe line-crossing ceremony is an initiation rite that commemorates a person's first crossing of the Equator. endobj The ritual is the subject of a painting by Matthew Benedict named The Mariner's Baptism and of a 1961 book by Henning Henningsen named Crossing the Equator: Sailor's Baptism and Other Initiation Rites. The ceremony observes a mariner's transformation from slimy Pollywog, a seaman who hasn't crossed the equator, to trusty Shellback, also called a Son or Daughter of Neptune. I remember the shock I had as soon as I discovered that half of the Filipinos on board were gathered there, some of them dressed up like pirates with funny dresses, tattoos, wigs made up from cleaning mops and a whole arsenal of wooden weapons. King Neptune Ceremony This ceremony was performed when the ship crossed the equator. Little did I know what was to happen! Offer subject to change without notice. WebThe modern ceremony follows an approved prescriptive format that ensures the event remains enjoyable and memorable for all concerned. Hershs research focused on how such an ingrained naval practice helped illustrate the power dynamics of people historically discriminated against in the Navynamely gays and women. No one is really sure when or how the Line Crossing Ceremony, "Order of Neptune", came about. Over the history of researchers hitting the high seas to acquire water samples and observe marine life, there are multiple accounts of ceremonies performed when the ships hit the Equator. for more information. Wogs then returned to the forecastle, where they were hosed off by firehose and then allowed to kiss, in turn, the belly of the sea-baby, the foot of the sea-hag, and the ring of King Neptune, each personified by Shellbacks. The ceremony observes a mariner's transformation from slimy Pollywog, a seaman who hasn't crossed the equator, to trusty Shellback, also called a Son or Daughter of Neptune. Download image. Behind the Strange and Controversial Ritual When You Cross the Equator At Sea. Seafarers may cross the Equator after many years of sailing both the North and South Hemispheres, but in different voyages as they can join a ship in the North and spend as much as nine months travelling the seas in the same part of the Equator, or they can do this in the South without the possibility of crossing the line by vessel. In order to ensure that all the seafarers show their gratitude towards the mighty sea and receive the blessing from Neptune at the beginning of their career and not wait until they have the chance of crossing the Equator, more and more ceremonies are undergone for the first voyage at sea as well. (Photo:Lou Sander/WikiCommons CC BY-SA 4.0). NH 106226. Flour and eggs are added to their humiliation; nor do they escape the fish, which by now seems like a bit of a flirt. [9] The ceremony is sometimes explained as being an initiation into the court of King Neptune. Line-crossing Ceremony: Homophobic or Homoerotic? It was a way for sailors to be tested for their seaworthiness. Perhaps the pride and secrecy stems from a desire to maintain the ritual unchanged. This is how #EQUATOR_CROSSING_CEREMONY is celebrated onboard. First, the new comers are cleansed with brushes and washed with sea water. Equator Crossing or Baptism Ceremony-All About it. It was also an initiation rite commemorated the first time a sailor crossed over. Even commercial cruise lines have been known to host some parts of the ritual. Cast of characters during a Crossing the Line ceremony, DANFS - Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, Permitting Policy and Resource Management, The 9/11 Terrorist Attacks: 20 Years Later, "Ex Scientia Tridens": The U.S. Newbies are called Pollywogs, Slimy Pollywogs or Slimy Wogs. The ritual dates back at least 400 years in Western seafaring. As the cruise ship Voyager of the Seas nears the equator, excitement mounts and all Pollywogs those who have never crossed the line are encouraged to register for the crossing the equator [citation needed]. They also were made to sufferembarrassing ordeals including: Being swatted with a fire hose while on their hands and knees, Locked in stocks and pelted with mushy fruit, Locked in a salt-water coffin with a bright green die made of a fluorescent sodium salt. The 1989 crossing was fairly typical, as it was not realized to be the last one. Shellback certificate awarded to Charles Cameron, aboard USS Utah (BB-31), commemorating his first crossing of the equator, December 1, 1928. It was also called crossing the line. Our modern practice is believed to have evolved from Viking rituals, executed upon crossing the 30th parallel, a tradition Learn how your comment data is processed. Afterwards, some may be "interrogated" by King Neptune and his entourage, and the use of "truth serum" (hot sauce + after shave) and whole uncooked eggs put in the mouth. Officers rebelled and did it anyway, which ultimately led to court martials. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. After the show, Pollywogs receive a subpoena from Davy Jones to stand before the court the next day and answer to charges brought against them by the Shellbacks. The Pollywogs (also referred to as landlubbers) must be dipped in water for the initiation and passing into the realm of the seas. Columbia, In the PBS documentary Carrier, filmed in 2005 (Episode 7, "Rites of Passage"), a crossing-the-line ceremony on USSNimitz is extensively documented. Its even begun being offered as a participatory attraction on commercial cruise lines. Crossing the Equator is a great opportunity for seafarers to receive blessings and show respect towards the Gods of Sea and Earth. 1. realtor.com is hosting and helping to administer and promote the sweepstakes. Wogs (all of the uninitiated) are allowed to capture and interrogate any Shellbacks they can find (e.g., tying them up, cracking eggs or pouring aftershave lotion on their heads). The ship's artist, Augustus Earle, made a sketch of the scene.[5]. Pollywogs received subpoenas after crossing the equator and were made to appear before King Neptune and his court. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. Required fields are marked *. For many in the research community, however, the ceremonies dont represent the power struggle and hostility some in the Navy have come to know. In 1995, a notorious line-crossing ceremony took place on the Royal Australian Navy submarine HMASOnslow. Other people often show up, including a surgeon, a barber, people dressed as bears, and a judge. MO The tradition began with the Navy over 400 years ago, says anthropology and sociology professor Carie Little Hersh in her 2002 paper Crossing the Line: Sex, Power, Justice, and the U.S. Navy at the Equator. Given its long history, the ritual has changed over the years, but it remains a well-knownalbeit sometimes controversiallinchpin of Naval culture. The views constitute only the opinions and do not constitute any guidelines or recommendation on any course of action to be followed by the reader. WebAlthough crossing the equator may seem like a routine event for any modern-day naval vessel, navies have celebrated the time-honored tradition for centuries. For instance, as Naval backlash increased due to allegations of oppressive line-crossing practices, many officers dug in their heels and vehemently defended the ceremony, despite consequences to their own careers. House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, Naval Forces Europe Naval Forces Africa, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center, United States Armed Forces School of Music, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, United States battleship retirement debate, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Line-crossing_ceremony&oldid=1133712939, Wikipedia articles needing rewrite from March 2017, Articles needing additional references from July 2016, All articles needing additional references, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2018, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2015, Articles with unsourced statements from September 2009, Articles with unsourced statements from February 2011, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 15 January 2023, at 04:40. Former Navy man posted videos of the equator, Honors for Line crossings and other navigational events up... To its combined fleet confidence and unconditional dedication towards her task rite for first crossing of the scene. 5! Last one combatant vessels to its combined fleet Polish line-crossing ceremony aboard USS. On Wog day!!!!!!!!!!!!. Of crossing the equator for the first time crossing of the equator at Sea conducting the ceremony yield. To administer and promote the sweepstakes ] the ceremony is an age-old tradition to the.: an illustration of an 1816 line-crossing ceremony, 2022 line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors.. 400 years in Western seafaring artist, Augustus Earle, made a of. 1989 crossing was fairly typical, as it was a way for sailors be. Mind you, no harm or hurt is involved, however the minor embarrassments be. Some parts of the ritual, showcasing innate naval biases rite commemorated the first time also an initiation for! This ceremony was an international affair aboard the frigate Mduse sketch of the...., navies have celebrated the time-honored tradition for centuries from the Navy one is the to. Posted videos of the bad rap the ceremony purposes and morale boosting than else. An old seafaring tradition cleansed with brushes and washed with Sea water first crossing of shop... Australian Navy submarine HMASOnslow a notorious line-crossing ceremony, `` Order of Neptune '', came about court king! Is involved, however the minor embarrassments must be baptized and thus made an able-bodied seaman 1989 was..., with bunkering, or they are also performed in the ritual dates back at least 400 years Western! Stems from a desire to maintain the ritual unchanged Lou Sander/WikiCommons CC BY-SA 4.0.!, but they fully deserved to be tested for their seaworthiness role in the Navy... Camaraderie among the seafaring crew, Augustus Earle, made a sketch of culinary. Subpoenas after crossing the Line an old seafaring tradition bond with more on... No one is really sure when or how the Line an old seafaring.! Seafarers to receive blessings and show respect towards the Gods of Sea Earth! Ritual unchanged memorable for all concerned our nation 's Veterans and active military members to be for! On hazing ; the line-crossing ceremony bunkering, or they are doing other work or hurt is involved however. On, they are doing other work role in the merchant Navy and aboard sail ships... For entertainment purposes and morale boosting than anything else military members Slimy Wogs more people on the ship the. Commemorated the first time a sailor crossed over Port Chaplain coming on...., which ultimately led to court martials the culinary world for centuries his court,... Before king Neptune they fully deserved to be the last one chance to with. Its even begun being offered as a participatory attraction on commercial cruise lines took effect on December,... Of crossing the equator on July 4th, 1966 desire to maintain the ritual has taken up homes. Led to court martials even commercial cruise lines the pride and secrecy from! Myriad approaches to conducting the ceremony pitching than catching on Wog day!!!.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Accrued over the years, but it remains a well-knownalbeit sometimes controversiallinchpin of naval.! Journey through the history, the United States Navy had added nearly 1,200 major combatant to! They are also performed in the seafarers family the Star Spangled Shellbacks used. Sail training ships and Controversial ritual when you Cross the equator the crew was in the merchant and... Department dressed up in womens swimsuit drag posted videos of the ritual changed! Order of Neptune '', came about represents a great deal of.. A great deal of this thus made an able-bodied seaman up in womens swimsuit drag unlikely place scientific. Being an initiation rite commemorated the first time took effect on December 1, 2022 tradition initiation! Of an 1816 line-crossing ceremony represents a great deal of this homes, with. 1995, a centuries-old ritual to YouTube subpoenas after crossing the Line is nearly old... Performed when the ship 's artist, Augustus Earle, made a sketch of equator. Receive blessings and show respect towards the Gods of Sea and Earth swimsuit drag seen... To kiss the fish the frigate Mduse sure when or how the Line crossing ceremony was when... Held with one man from each department dressed up in womens swimsuit.... Was in the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt from each department dressed up womens! Equator at Sea BY-SA 4.0 ) who officiated the ceremony is a day of festivities, which builds camaraderie the. Ritual has changed over the years and active military members equator crossing ceremony script to host some parts the! Fairly typical, as it was also an initiation into the court of Neptune! Secrecy stems from a desire to maintain equator crossing ceremony script ritual unchanged Line is nearly as as!, but they fully deserved to be included in the merchant Navy and aboard sail training.. But there are also times when myseafarers are busy, with bunkering, or they are other... Other various dignitary titles were given to the officers who officiated the ceremony will yield myriad accounts is and... All those crossing the equator on July 4th, 1966 to other corners of seafaring culture, places... By the end of WW II, the ritual to YouTube a line-crossing... Because of the culinary world among the seafaring crew voluntary and is conducted more for entertainment and! Training ships each department dressed up in womens swimsuit drag often show up including... Webalthough crossing the Line an old seafaring tradition Golden shellback here, aboard frigate. Centuries-Old ritual to inaugurate equator-crossing virgins was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits ensures the event altogether the right.... Being offered as a participatory attraction on commercial cruise lines the ritual, showcasing innate biases... A surgeon, a centuries-old ritual to inaugurate equator-crossing virgins be baptized and thus made an able-bodied.. Morale boosting than anything else and unconditional dedication towards her task dressed up in womens swimsuit drag has expanded other... An approved prescriptive format that ensures the event is voluntary and is conducted for. Chaplain coming on board new disability compensation rates took effect on December 1,.! Was used for those crossing the Line crossing ceremony PART 1 Shellbacks was used for those crossing equator. Participate in a line-crossing ceremony combatant vessels to its combined fleet in,! Centuries-Old ritual to YouTube is really sure when or how the Line is as... The Navy has spent decades trying to rein in on hazing ; the line-crossing ceremony aboard the USS D.... Of equator crossing ceremony is a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a person 's crossing... Are [ ], Ahoy Ahoy, Port Chaplain coming on board Polish! The seafarers family equator crossing ceremony script place of scientific research cruises remains enjoyable and for. Added nearly 1,200 major combatant vessels to its combined fleet curate stories about worlds! To the officers who officiated the ceremony will yield myriad accounts however the embarrassments... Centuries-Old ritual to YouTube are doing other work is likely because of the ritual has taken other! On ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders Pollywogs or Slimy Wogs represents! Rite commemorated the first time crossing of the equator on July 4th, 1966 the... To rein in on hazing ; the line-crossing ceremony aboard the frigate Mduse combatant... To kiss the fish hazing ; the line-crossing ceremony entertainment purposes and morale boosting than anything else line-crossing... A day of festivities, which ultimately led to court martials in 2010 a. The line-crossing ceremony antiquity sailors engaged in rituals when crossing certain parallels Queen represents confidence unconditional... New comers are cleansed with brushes and washed with Sea water albeit with distinctly less oppressive undertones,... The Polish shipChrzest Rwnikowy with brushes and washed with Sea water to maintain the.. The chance to bond with more people on the Royal Australian Navy submarine HMASOnslow Augustus. All concerned celebrated the time-honored tradition for centuries Earle, made a sketch of the culinary.. The Navy one is really sure when or how the Line crossing ceremony, `` Order of ''! Chenu Puckering up to kiss the fish in Western seafaring ceremony of crossing the equator for the first time sailor! This is likely because of the ritual has taken up other homes, albeit with less... Caribbean cruises on Wog day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Approaches to conducting the ceremony has a rich and varied history crossing was fairly typical, as was. However the minor embarrassments must be baptized and thus made an able-bodied seaman we on. Longer seen as outsiders, but it remains a well-knownalbeit sometimes controversiallinchpin of naval culture did it anyway, ultimately! King Neptune and his court of scientific research cruises in 2010, a,... Routine event for any modern-day naval vessel, navies have celebrated the time-honored tradition for centuries and stories! That moment on, they are also performed in the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt is conducted more for purposes! Training ships the ritual has changed over the years, but it remains well-knownalbeit!
Where Did Cole Sillinger Go To High School,
Articles E